Indian J Med Res
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Background & objectives Our study aims to provide the diversity of stem cell use for non-malignant, non-haematological diseases in India through the lens of clinical trials. Methods A PRISMA approach was used to evaluate the safety and efficacy of stem cell use for the period 2001-2021 in India. The outcomes were measured using each disease category, types of stem cells, the origin of stem cells, safety, and efficacy. ⋯ The study revealed 37 randomized clinical trial studies conducted in the government research hospital compared to the non-government. Interpretation & conclusions Maintaining the gold standard for stem cell therapy requires randomized clinical trials with large sample sizes, control groups, failures, adverse effects, etc. It is important to have a monitoring and regulation system in stem cell clinical research activities with enough preclinical data and repeated exchanges between the bench and the bedside.
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Background & objectives Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide and constitutes a public health priority. Delays in diagnosis and treatment of cancer can adversely impact survival, recovery, and cost of treatment. The objective of this study was to estimate the proportion seeking timely care among those having early warning signals for oral, breast or cervical cancer and to explore the facilitators and barriers to early detection. ⋯ Interpretation & conclusions Although very few people were identified to have early warning symptoms using CBAC, a substantial proportion of them sought medical care and underwent confirmatory diagnosis. Screen positivity rate and treatment-seeking behaviour were better among women undergoing opportunistic cervical cancer screening in the health centres. Measures need to be taken to improve health literacy among people to reduce diagnostic delay for cancers.
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Background & objectives Cancer is one of the leading causes of death among older adults worldwide. The global burden of cancer among older individuals is increasing due to the ageing population. The increasing burden of cancer among older adults will pose significant social and economic challenges for the delivery of healthcare services. ⋯ The number of new cancer cases among older adults is expected to rise from 11.3 to 19.8 million (a 75.2% increase) and deaths from 3.99 to 7.3 million (82.8% increase) by 2040. Interpretation & conclusions The expected rise will bring exceptional challenges to healthcare systems, especially in lower- or lower-medium-income countries where resources are limited. Data on cancer among older adults will help health planners and policymakers develop global geriatric cancer control policies.
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Background & objectives Spirometric glycopyrronium responsiveness, a new advent, needs to be examined at in terms of degree and frequency in different obstructive-airway diseases diagnosed in real world practise. Methods Serial and willing symptomatic affected individuals of suspected airway disease underwent a pragmatic post-consultation spirometry-protocol on the same day with salbutamol followed by glycopyrronium bromide. The diagnosis of asthma (FEV1-reversibility ≥ 200 ml + 12%), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (FEV1/FVC<0.7 and FEV1-reversibility <200 ml and/or 12%), and 'unclassified' (neither asthma nor COPD) were determined on post-salbutamol changes. ⋯ While all the asthmatics, 9.83 per cent of 'unclassified' study participants, and none of the COPD affected individuals had significant FEV1 responsiveness to salbutamol, the glycopyrronium responsiveness for the three conditions were 38.3, 40.25 and 24.26 per cent, respectively. The combined reversibility for asthma, COPD, and unclassified were 401.5±173.9, 119.5±109.3, and 158.7±136.3 ml, respectively. Interpretation & conclusions Spirometry with serial salbutamol and glycopyrronium responsiveness may prove helpful in identifying syndromic diagnosis and choosing the bronchodilator treatment of airway diseases.